2,3-Dihydroestra-1,3,5(10)-trieno (16{60 ,17{60 -{62 ) furan-17{62 ols

ABSTRACT

2&#39;&#39;,3&#39;&#39;-Dihydroestra-1,3,5(10)-trieno(16 Alpha ,17 Alpha -b Beta furan-17 Beta -ols are new compounds useful in the treatment of menopausal syndrome and other conditions of estrogen deficiency.

United States Patent 1191 Dinner 14 1 Nov. 18, 1975 [75] lnventor: Alan Dinner, Indianapolis, Ind.

[73] Assignce: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis,

Ind.

1221 Filed: Aug. 30, 1974 1211 Appl. No.: 502,131

[52] US. Cl. 260/239.55 R; 260/3975 [51] Int. Cl. C07J 17/00 [58] Field of Search 260/239.55

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,045,012 7/1962 Kurath et al 260/239.55

Karath et a1. 260/239.55 Galantay 260/239.55

Primary ExaminerElbert L. Roberts Attorney, Agent, or FirmCharles W. Ashbrook; Walter E. Buting; Everet F. Smith 7] ABSTRACT 5 Claims, No Drawings 2,3-DIHYDROESTRA-l,3,5( )-TRIENO (160:, 1701-3) .FURAN-17B OLS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The estrogens comprise a group of sterodial hortrogens known, and is prepared bythe reaction of an acetylide on estrone. The 3-cyclopentyl ether of 17aethynylestriol is an extremely potent estrogen having a favorably uterotropic-vagin'al ratio, U.S. Pat. No.

Several steroids are known which possess a y-lactone ring fused to ring D of the steroid nucleus; Sarsasapogemin, for instance, contains a tetrahydrofuran derivative fused to ring D of the androstane' nucleus. No estrogenic steroids have heretofore been known which contain a furan ring fused to ring D at the l6oz- 17a positions in' addition to a l7ahydroxylgroup.

It is an object of this invention to provide new compounds which are cyclized derivatives of 17aethynylestriol and which compounds possess estrogenic activity.

' SUMMARY OF TI-IE INVENTION .Thisinvention relates to novelpentacyclicsteroids.

In particular, this invention provides estrogen-like compounds of the formula in which R has the above defined meaning. During the cyclization reaction, the 16a-hydroxyl adds to the acet- 2 named 3-(cyclopentyloxy)-2 ,3 -dihydroestra- 1,3,5( lO)-trieno-[ l6a,l 7a-b]furan-l7B-ol. The dihydroestrafurans of this invention can be prepared by cyclizing a l7a-ethynylestriol having the general formula ylenic bond, thus forming the pentacylic ring structure of the compounds of this invention. More specifically,

a Hot-ethynylestriol of the above formula is contacted with a suitable base, preferably in a solvent, thereby effectively causing the addition of a hydroxyl group across an acetylenic linkage. While any-of a number of bases can be used to effect the cyclization reaction, the

preferred bases are the alkali metal hydroxides. Commonly used bases include sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Bases such as sodium hydride, potassium tert.-butoxide, butyl lithium, and similar bases can in which R is hydrogen, (C -C alkyl, or (C -C cycloalkyl. The compounds of this invention are usefulin treating menopausal syndrome.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION the compounds of this invention include The compounds of this invention are estradiol derivabe used if desired. The quantity of base generally used in the reaction is from about I to about 10 molar amounts; however, more can be used if desired. The cyclization reaction is most conveniently carried out in an unreactive solvent, preferably an organic solvent such as an alcohol, ether, halogenated hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon, or the like. The especially preferred solvents include alcohols such as methanol or ethanol. Ethers such as dioxane or diglyme can be utilized when desired. The reaction is most efficiently carried out at an elevated temperature, especially at a temperature in the range from about 30C. to about C. The reaction is typically carried out at the reflux temperature of the reaction solvent. The cyclization is substantially complete after about 15 to 30 hours; however, longer reaction times do not appear detrimental to the dihydroestrafuran thus produced. The dihydro estrafuran can be isolated by simply removingthe reaction solvent, forexample by evaporation, and further purification of the product can be carried out by standard techniques such as column chromatography, recrystallization, or the like.

As hereinbefore indicated, the starting materials for ethynylestriol, or ether derivatives thereof. The preparation of these latter compounds is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,558. It should be understood that the cyclization reaction described hereinabove can be carried out on ethers of l7a-ethynylestriols, or alternatively the cyclization can be carried out on the parent l7a-ethynylestriol and the desired ether can subsequently be prepared by procedures set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,558.

The compounds provided herein are useful pharmacological agents due to their estrogenic activity. The compounds are useful in the treatment of menopausal syndrome or other estrogen-deficiency conditions and can be administered orally or parenterally. The compounds are generally administered in doses of l to about 20 mg. For oral administration, the estrogen-like compounds can be mixed with a suitable diluent or carrier, and formulated as a tablet, elixir, or capsule for convenient administration. Typical diluents or carriers commonlyused include starch, propylene glycol, dextrose, sorbitol or as like. The active drug can also be admixed with one or more active hormonal substances, such as estradiol or medroxyprogesterone for example. The compoimds described herein are additionally useful in replacement therapy for under-developed female animals, and for the treatment of various reproductive EXAMPLE 1 3-Cyclopentyloxy-2',3 -dihydroestra-l,3,5(10)- trieno-[ 16a, 1 7a-b]furan-l 75-01.

A solution of 1.0 g. of 17a-ethynylestra-1,3,5(10)- trieno-3,16a,l7,B-triol 3-cyclopentyl ether in 250 cc. of a 0.05 molar solution of potassium hydroxide in methanol was heated at reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to 25C. and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, providing a yellow solid. The yellow solid was chromato graphed over 50 g. of Woelm Silica Gel, Activity 1, using a five percent solution (v/v) of ethyl acetate in benzene as the eluant. Eluate fractions shown to contain 3-cyclopentyloxy-2',3-dihydroestra-1,3,5( l)-trieno[16a,17a-b]-furan17B-o1 by thin layer chromatography were combined and the solvent was removed therefrom under reduced pressure. 3-Cyc1opentyloxy-2 ,3 -dihydroestra-1,3 ,5( trieno[16a,l7a-b]-furan-17B-o1 was thus obtained in 85 percent yield; M.P. 13013 1C. IR (KBr): 3490 (OH), 2930 and 2860 (CH); m/e: 280.2358, calc. for C H O 380.2351; nmr (pyridine-d EXAMPLE 2 2,3-Dihydroestra-1,3,5( 10)-trieno[ 160:, l 7a-b]furan-3,17B-diol.

Following the procedure set forth in example 1 above, l7oz-ethynylestra- 1 ,3,5( 10 )-trieno[ l60z,l7ozb]furan-3,17B-diol in percent yield. M.P. 210-212C. IR. (KBr): 3400 (OH), 2950 and 2850 (CH); m/e: 312.1721, calc. for C H O 312.1725.

EXAMPLE 3 3-Methoxy-2,3 '-dihydroestra-1,3,5( 10)-trieno[ l- 6a,17a-b ]furan- 1 73-01.

Following the procedure set forth in example 1, 17aethynylestra- 1,3,5( 10)-trieno-3,16a,l 7B-triol 3-methyl ether was converted to 3-methoxy-2',3-dihydroestral,3,5( 10)-trieno[ l6a,l 7a-b]furan-1 7B-o1.

I claim:

1. The compound of the formula wherein R is UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT N0. 5,920, 5 i

DATED November 18, 1975 lN\/ ENTOR(S) Alan Dinner It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The title should read 2',5'-DIHYDRo-1,5,5(10)- TRIENO[16Ot,lT -b]FURAN-lTB-OLS In column 1, line 29, "lY' hydrQXyl" should read 17B hydroxyl In column line 6, "l'r thy y fi,5( [16a,17:x should read l796-ethynylestra-l,5,5(lO)-trieno- 5,l6-17B-triol was converted to 2' ,5 -dihydroestra-l,5, 5- (lO)-trieno[l606,lT

In column i, line 59, "1,5,5(lO)-trieno[l6 ,lTC-b15,176-

diol" should read 1,5,5(l0)-trieno[l6 ,lT t-b]furan-5,l"(i3- diol Signed and Sealed this mm first Day of June1976 Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON A Nesting Officer c. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner ofParems and Trademarks 

1. THE COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA
 2. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R is hydrogen, said compound being 2'' ,3''-dihydroestra-1,3,5(10)-trieno( 16 Alpha , 17 Alpha -b)3,17 Beta -diol.
 3. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R is C5-C6 cycloaklyl.
 4. The compound according to claim 3 wherein R is cyclopentyl, said compound being 3-cyclopentyloxy-2'',3''-dihydroestra-1,3, 5(10)-trieno( 16 Alpha ,17 Alpha -b)furan-17 Beta -ol.
 5. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R is C1-C3 alkyl. 